Functional challanges of small town in the era of globalisation: Positive pointers from Tanjong Malim, Malaysia

In the era of globalisation, the growing influence of mega cities in the course of a national development agenda had often led to the economic marginalization of small towns and surrounding rural areas. The recent growth impact of Klang-Langat metropolitan region has proven this point for Malaysia. Interestingly, the small town of Tanjong Malim which is located relatively closer to a metropolitan region seems to be an exception. Tanjong Malim town has been planned by the state government to become a sub-regional centre for the southern region of Perak in 2020. By virtue of its location in the middle of north-south highway between Kinta Metropolitan Region and Klang- Langat Metropolitan Region, along with the establishment of UPSI and Proton factory, Tanjong Malim is set to achieve the target. The present article seeks to substantiate this point by analysing recent population and functional changes occuring in Tanjong Malim. Analyses of government records and information gathered through field observations and questionnaires administered among 370 households show that Tanjong Malim was growing rapidly to become the most dominant settlement centre in Batang Padang District. Results of the centrality analysis support this finding. The analysis also reveals that traditional functions such as the provision of agricultural inputs, the base for rubber dealers and other agriculturally related activities were diminishing. However newer functions such as, the provision of basic goods and services were on the increase. The role of Tanjong Malim town had also changed significantly from providing basic needs of the people to providing non-farm employments particularly in manufacturing and modern services. This changing of role is clearly an indication that functionally, Tanjong Malim was undergoing a rapid process of transformation and was on the right path to emerge as a sub-regional centre for Southern Perak in 2020.